Artizen Fund
Artizen is a community fund that matches support for art, science, technology, and design projects.
Website: https://www.artizen.fund/
HQ: Globel, Bohinj Commune, Slovenia
Active Markets: Global
Problem Addressed
Creative projects are typically significantly underfunded, despite the outcomes of these projects playing essential roles in society. The way society has settled on allocating our limited resources puts too outsized decision-making power in the hands of a few individuals, who may not make decisions that reflect the sentiments of the communities they represent.
Project Description
Artizen uses blockchain technology to facilitate transparent participatory funding of creative projects making positive impact. By leveraging cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) infrastructure, Artizen allows community members to collectively pool funds from across the world, democratically select winning projects to receive allocated funds, and earn rewards and digital assets as an active member of the community.
The money for match funding and cash prizes comes from Artizen’s sponsors. The organization partners with top organization like Microsoft and the Cannes Film Festival to launch match funds that support the people, projects, and causes important to their communities. Additionally, project funding comes directly from Artifact sales.
Each season projects sell digital collectibles—or Artifacts, minted as NFTs—to raise money and pursue match funding. Community members purchase Artifacts such as concept sketches, art, animations, or videos representing milestones in the development lifecycle of the projects they want to support. Projects that sell the most Artifacts are announced as winners at the end of the season, receiving a bonus cash prize. At the end of the season funds are matched by partner organizations based on Artifacts sold.
Business Data
Status: Active
Constituency Served: Creatives, philanthropic supporters
Networks: Cello Trust
Known Investors: Dan Hill, Animoca Brands, Protocol Labs, Juan Benet, Matt Condon, ConsenSys Mesh
Additional References: N/A
Progress to date
Artizen has partnered with organizations such as Microsoft and the Cannes Film Festival to award funds to creatives and builders.
Business Model
Artizen supports funding through partnership donations and NFT sales.
Traction
In May 2023, Artizen raised $2.2 million to support the projects funding initiatives, with support from Web3 veterans such as ConsenSys, Animoca Brands, and Protocol Labs. As of May 2024, Artizen Fund had awarded nearly $1 million to projects.